jwatte

Eagle is a very good piece of software. Specifically, the non-free versions scale up to much bigger targets. Meanwhile, you have all of those tools available for your 10x8 cm double-sided board as freeware (for non-commercial projects AFAICT).

Other free software you might want to check out:- expresspcb: http://www.expresspcb.com/ (only works with their board making service)- gEDA: http://www.gpleda.org/ (open source -- is to Eagle what Gimp is to Photoshop)- pad2pad: http://www.pad2pad.com/- Tina: http://www.tina.com/English/tina/ (includes some simulation capability)- FreePCB: http://www.freepcb.com/ (open source -- it's more like MS Paint than a full system)

I personally recommend a paid programme that is circuit wizard its a complete suite that meshes well with user and also provides the simulation capability so you can test your pcb prior to ordering them in bulk that is crucial i think ,although i have used kiCad, eagle but they lack in the simulation thing that is provided by this circuit wizard and user interface is awesome too.

I personally recommend a paid programme that is circuit wizard its a complete suite that meshes well with user and also provides the simulation capability so you can test your pcb prior to ordering them in bulk that is crucial i think ,although i have used kiCad, eagle but they lack in the simulation thing that is provided by this circuit wizard and user interface is awesome too.

Curcuit Wizard is pretty sweet, user friendly = easy to learn. In just 10 minutes, I made a schematic and a PCB of a simple circuit. My main program is Fritzing though... I like how it's laid out.

The latest version of AutoTRAX DEX 2020 is only $49.I know it's a bit cheaper than the others.This gives you the latest version of DEX plus 12 months of free upgrades. DEX is great now, in the next 12 months it can only get better.Dex has come a long way in the last 2 years and you will be truly amazed how far DEX has come

DEX is an integrated schematic capture, simulation and PCB layout program with a superb user interface and single self contained database.It is the industry's only unified electronic design software that gives you the unique ability to design, test and build the next generation of electronic devices.

Why is is DEX so cheap? ($49) or why are the others so expensive.• Very low overheads • Volume. When overheads are low they are quickly covered by sales.• I love DEX. DEX is a passion, not a 9-5 job.• I love seeing people using it.• I could make it free but I've got to eat!

There is only one version, no versions with restrictions - I believe this is dishonest. What would you think if you bought a car and the passenger seats were chained up and the saleman demanded more to unchain them with each seat carrying an extra charge.

I have been using your program for a few hours now. It's a good concept.

1 question for now: How do you change the value of components? Searched your online manual without success. (btw, when you expand a tree, it doesn't collapse. Running Opera.)

Your "Right Click" needs some help. There is no Delete option for parts, but you have options to change settings for the entire program?Also, when I close a panel and open the same one back up, my layout completely changes.Cannot find any Crystals or ceramic caps.

My overall opinion of AUTOTrax from a new user stand point, Nice looking program. With some tweaks here and there and more components, I think it could be a head turner. I think it's worth the $49 price. But to say it's a $200 program, nope. If you keep it at $49, then you may get somewhere.

jwatte

You know that the free version is only okay to use for non-commercial applications, right? Also, it only does 2-sided boards, and the max board size is 4x3.2 inches (100x80 mm) and it only does a single schematic page, no multi-page or hierarchical schematics.Don't get me wrong; I'm very productive in Eagle, and it was the first program I recommended up above, but I think it's important to call out the limitations.

After reading the other recommendations in this thread, I've taught myself KiCAD, which seems to be the best free linux-compatible schematic-and-PCB tool you can find. It also runs on Windows and MacOSX. It does any number of schematics, it does hierarchy, it does any number of layers and any size board, and you can use it for things you sell or otherwise utilize commercially. If you need anything beyond the limitations of free Eagle, you have the option of paying > $600, or re-training on KiCAD or something similar. You might as well start training on KiCAD from the beginning :-)